1. By: Jason Baker

2. Why do Administrators Need to Know About Autism. Autism is the most heavily litigated area in Special education. Poorly informed administrators can not ensure appropriate services for children with autism. An autism diagnosis covers a diverse population regarding cognitive ability and severity. Autism is the fastest increasing area of disability in the united states.

3. What is autism? Neurobiological developmental disorder Impairments in reciprocal social interaction Impairments in communication Restricted, repetitive and stereotyped patterns of behavior interest or activity A spectrum disorder

4. What Causes Autism? In the majority of areas, no specific underlying cause can be identified. How ever a variety of factors are currently under investigation. These include infectious, metabolic, genetic, and environmental origin.

5. Diagnostic Features The essential features of Autistic Disorder are the presence of markedly abnormal or impaired development in social interaction and communication and a markedly restricted repertoire of activity and interests.

6. Common Characteristics Withdrawal Splinter Skills Delayed Development Self-Stimulation/ Perservation

7. Expressive Communication Pronoun Reversal Abnormal speech tone, rhythm, volume and pitch Difficulty initiating and continuing conversations Delay or total lack of the development of spoken language

8. TYPES OF AUTISM Autistic Disorder Pervasive Developmental Disorder (P.D.D) Asperger's Disorder Retts Disorder

9. Meeting The Needs of Autism Administrators need to understand what the antecedents are for students with autism. Administrators need understand specific behaviors that are typical of students with autism. Administrators need to ensure that their staff is trained and aware of these students. Administrators should assemble a team of individuals to help students with autism.

10. Works Cited Mathis, Connie (nd) What Every School Administrator Needs to Know About Autism [PowerPoint slides] Retrieved from Childnet.tv: http://www.childnett.tv/videos/lectures/connie_mathis_what_every_s chool_administrator_needs_know_about_autism Definition of autism [Web log message]. Retrieved from http://www.definitionofautism.com/ http://www.definitionofautism.com/ World Class Communication Technologies (nd) Souls [video file]. Video posted to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gDk8Io7OTRk